Commission for Unity and Racial Equality's first workshop.

While hailing the organisation and content of the workshop a success, at least two participants told The Royal Gazette they were unimpressed with the attendance of those from their respective sectors.

Among the objectives of the workshop -- held at Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort last weekend -- were to sensitise participants to the issue of race; heighten understanding of the pain in the community around the issue, examine and challenge stereotypes regarding racial groups; and to encourage open dialogue on racial matters.

And Independent Sen. Alf Oughton said he believed the objectives were achieved.

"I think what took place in those two days was first class,'' he said.

"The organisation was first class and the facilitators really did their homework.

"One of the things that made it so successful was the organisation and the facilitators and we did not have to bring someone in to do it.

"They (facilitators) very quickly had people participating.'' But Sen. Oughton admitted that he was concerned about "the number of people who were not there and should be there''.

He noted that some 160 people were invited to the workshop. But only four of the Island's 49 Parliamentarians -- Premier David Saul, Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ewart Brown, Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb, and himself -- attended.

"There was not only a lack of politicians, but senior people out of the business sector,'' Sen. Oughton added.

"If everyone is telling us that race relations are in a bad way and we must get things back on track, the workshop was not a good example of putting our money where our mouth is.'' Noting that Parliament had recently passed legislation to make CURE a reality, he said: "In order for it to get cracking, it needs support and teeth. If we made such an issue about getting this organisation up and running, then we have to support CURE's efforts.'' "The politicians have given them the tools, but not the support,'' Sen.

Oughton added. "There were some on the list who said they were going to be there, but did not show up.

"I realise a number of them could have been off the Island. But even if the individual could not attend, they could have sent a representative.'' He said another workshop should be held, if possible with politicians only.

And he suggested that CURE should secure the help of the Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda Employers Council to host a similar workshop again.

ACE senior vice president of administration Keith White echoed similar sentiments.

"I was pretty disappointed with the turnout from the international business community and maybe even local companies,'' he admitted.

Mr. White, who believed the workshop was beneficial, said he has offered to assist CURE wherever possible.

For example, he said, he offered the group use of ACE's lobby in which a cocktail party can be held to help CURE members become better acquainted with business leaders.

"I offered to host a cocktail party and CURE could invite the leaders of international companies and local companies and have a very brief, positive message, so that when they run the next event, the turnout will be more favourable,'' he explained.

"It's got to happen at the senior level. We need to make sure that the dog is wagging the tail.'' CURE executive officer Sharol Simmons -- who noted that a post mortem of the workshop showed that it was "positive and fruitful'' -- said organisers specifically targeted those in positions of authority first.

"We felt if we could get them, that was half the battle,'' she said, adding that those in authority could make sure the information is filtered down.

But president of the Chamber of Commerce David Rowntree said he was not even aware of the workshop.

"When the Chamber is invited to something, we usually broadcast it to our membership which consists of some 700 members,'' he said, adding that the Chamber supported "anything of that nature that is going to improve the overall race relations in Bermuda''.

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